Alameda County CA Genealogy – Access Genealogy

Biography of John Wasson

John Wasson, of Chino, is most widely known as an editor, but this accomplishment has been rather an incident than a design in his career. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 20, 1833, on a farm. He received such education as the very common country schools afforded. Attendance on school was secondary to farm work in summer, and to some extent in winter. He was dissatisfied with farm life, but was notably a good worker with all farming implements. At the age of nineteen he went to California; spent 1852-’53 in the mines of El Dorado County. Sickness … Read more

Biography of L. J. F. Jaeger

The following biographical sketch of L. J. F. Jaeger was furnished me by his son, now living at Tucson: “My father, L. J. F. Jaeger, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He worked as a mechanic in the Baldwin shops, Philadelphia. Later was appointed mechanic in the arsenal at Washington, D. C. In the latter part of 1848, he took the first sailing vessel out of Philadelphia bound for San Francisco, the ‘Mason. ‘ On reaching San Francisco he worked for a while as a carpenter. At that time the Bay extended to Montgomery Street. He was then employed as … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. B. Stone

J. B. Stone orchardist near Fullerton and a worthy citizen of the Golden State, began life in Pennsylvania, July 21, 1831, the ninth in a family of eleven children of his parents, Silas and Susanna (Ward) Stone, who were from Vermont, and moved from Michigan to Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1837. November 13, 1851, Mr. J. B. Stone started by a steamer for California, but came part of the way by sail vessel, landing in San Francisco March 8, 1852. After mining one year he began farming in Alamada and Contra Costa counties. After a time he came to … Read more

Fry, John E. “Jack” – Obituary

John E. “Jack” Fry, 77, of Boise, whose family has owned a cabin at Trout Meadows for many years, died Sept. 11, 2004, at the Hospice Center of the Boise Veterans Hospital. No memorial service is scheduled at this time. His family and friends will celebrate his life in the summer of 2005 at Trout Meadows in the Granite area. The date will be announced later. Mr. Fry was born on June 1, 1927, at Canyon City to Everett and Ora Fry. He grew up at Mount Vernon. He married Ada Newcome in 1950 at Oakland, Calif. They lived at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. H. Weis

Weis, S. H.; architect; born, New York City, September, 1888; educated in the grammar and High Schools of Cleveland, and University of California; married in Cleveland in 1911; pres. and treas. Esplanade Realty Co.; member Chamber of Commerce.

Thompson, Shirley Eugene – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Stanley Eugene Thompson, 59, of Island City, died from unexpected natural causes on Aug. 24 at a hospital in Boise. A celebration of life at the Island City School will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday. He was born in Arcata, Calif., on Aug. 11, 1947 to Ana Mae (Posey) and Glen Thompson. He was raised and educated in Oakland, Calif., and Eufaula, Okla. Mr. Thompson enlisted in the Navy in April of 1965. After his naval service, he moved to Government Camp and helped his father cook at the Huckleberry Inn Restaurant. He greatly enjoyed his work … Read more

Wiester, Emily Irene Street Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Emily Irene Wiester, 88, of Issaquah, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 24, 2003, at her home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Madeleine Sophie Roman Catholic Church in Bellevue, Wash. Irene was born on Jan. 26, 1915, in Prineville to Mary and Edward Street. Her parents moved to California shortly after she was born. Irene attended the University of Washington at Seattle as a freshman. There she met Harold Wiester. After graduation from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, she returned … Read more

Helen Todd Mills of Oakland CA

MILLS, Helen Todd7, (Uel6, Oliver5, Abraham4, Jonah3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Nov. 8, 1825, married Jan. 15, 1851, Niles Mills, who was born April 11, 1822, died Nov. 24, 1874. She lives in Oakland, Calif. Children: I. Edward Carleton, b. Feb. 5, 1852. He is a machinist. Lives in San Francisco, Calif. II. George Todd, b. Oct. 23, 1854. Auditor of V. & T., & C. & C. Railroads. Lives in Carson, Nev. III. Easton, b. April 17, 1857, he is a farmer, lives in San Luis, Calif. IV. Albert Uel, b. Oct. 10, 1858; he too is a farmer, lives … Read more

Ames, Maggie P. Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Died, in Oakland, California, January 7, 1925, Mrs. Maggie P. Ames, age 89 years. Maggie Pelham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrenus Peham, was born at Malone, Clinton county, Iowa. In 1861 she was married to George W. Ames and started as a bride across the plains in a prairie schooner. They landed in the Grande Ronde Valley in 1862. It is said they were the first white folks to cross the river to where Cove now stands. They purchased a tract of land that suited them, and today Union is built on a considerable portion … Read more

History of Alameda County California

Leslie J. Freeman’s “Alameda County: Past and Present” is a historical account of the development of Alameda County in California. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the native Indian tribes who inhabited the area to the Spanish Dons who claimed vast ranchos, and the early American settlers who established cities like Oakland and San Leandro. Freeman details the founding of missions, the development of transportation and industry, the evolution of social life, and the establishment of government institutions. The text also provides biographies of key figures in the county’s history, including William Heath Davis, Jose Joaquin Estudillo, and Anthony Chabot. Freeman emphasizes the importance of the Spanish Missions in the early development of California and describes the evolution of the county from a sparsely populated, agricultural area to a major center of industry and commerce.

McGregor, John Vernon – Obituary

John Vernon McGregor, 87, a longtime Livermore, Calif., resident, formerly of Baker City, died suddenly on May 13, 2005, after a brief decline in health. John was born to John and Frances McGregor in Ontario. He spent his first years on the family farm. He later moved to Baker City where he married Sadie Darlene Tripp in 1941. They lived briefly in Wonderland, Calif., where he worked as a welder helping in the construction of Shasta Dam. In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps. He served as a tail gunner in a B-24 during World War II. He flew … Read more

Miles, Donna G. – Obituary

Donna G. Miles, 75, of Baker City, died Nov. 27, 2005. At her request, she was cremated. There will be a memorial gathering at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at her home at 850 Park St. Donna was born on May 31, 1930, at Baker City to Herbert and Elaine Miles. She was a 1948 Baker High School graduate and furthered her education at Whitman College at Walla Walla, Wash., receiving her bachelor’s of arts degree in English literature in 1952. After graduation, she moved to California where she lived for 52 years. She spent the last 32 years at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Brown

No person is more responsible for San Mateo County’s highway system than William H. Brown, Supervisor from the Second Township. The scenic boulevards which lure thousands of autoists into the county every day is a realization of Brown’s dream of years ago. The second township shows Brown’s good roads mania. Practically all its paved roads and boulevards have been built during his term of office. At a cost of $10,000 he has just completed the resurfacing of the road from Beresford to Redwood City. As a member of the Board of Supervisors and chairman for one term, Brown has worked … Read more

Biography of Loren Coburn

Although a resident of Pescadero, the active years of Mr. Coburn’s life have been spent in the mining regions of California and the growing cities of Oakland and San Francisco. Loren Coburn was born in Berlin, Orange County, Vermont, January 11, 1826, with New England blood, a promise of future success. When ten years of age, his home was changed to Massachusetts, where he remained until he started for California in 1851. He shipped from New York on the steamer Falcon, bound for Cuba. After passing over the Isthmus of Panama he took passage on the ship Panama, arriving in … Read more

Biography of George Carl Plump

George Carl Plump is one of Redwood City’s citizens who can really say that he grew up with the town. Born in Redwood City 45 years ago when Redwood City was a scant settlement, Mr. Plump has watched a full-fledged city gradually unfold and cover the green fields and pastures that he used to romp over as a boy. Mr. Plump never wavered from his belief that the town of his birth was destined to become a thriving commercial city. After receiving his education in Redwood schools, Mr. Plump’s business activities over several years finally focused on Plump’s Grocery store, … Read more

McGregor, Sadie Darlene Tripp Mrs. – Obituary

Sadie Darlene McGregor, 86, of Livermore, Calif., a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 18, 2007. Her memorial service was Dec. 15 in the regional meeting room of the Dublin Civic Center at Dublin, Calif. Darlene was born on July 29, 1921, at Downey, Idaho, to Guy Ernest Tripp and Sadie Elizabeth Criddle. She lived most of her early years in Idaho and Oregon. She married Vernon McGregor in 1941. Their marriage lasted 64 years, until John died in 2005. As a couple, their first move was to Wonderland, Calif., where John worked on the construction of Shasta Dam. Shortly … Read more

Livingston, Ardith Maxine – Obituary

Union, Oregon Ardith Maxene Livingston, 100, of Union, died at her residence May 31. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Union. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Maxene Livingston was born Aug. 29, 1907, the oldest of 13 children, in Santaquin, Utah. She grew up on the family farm owned by her parents, Albert and Chloe Tietjen Greenbalgh. As the oldest child, she was very involved in rearing her brothers and sisters. She also learned to operate all of the farm equipment except … Read more

Cowden, Robert – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Robert “Bob” Cowden of Joseph died May 10, 2006, at his son’s home in Davis, Calif. He was 74. Mr. Cowden was born Oct. 8, 1931, in Oakland, Calif., to Earl and Margaret Cowden. He spent vacations as a child with his grandparents on their coffee plantation in Managua, Nicaragua. He graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif., in 1950. He then enrolled at the University of California at Davis, but his education was put on hold because of the Korean War. After completing a tour in the Navy he returned to the university. It was there … Read more

Ruckman, Virgil Audmer – Obituary

Imbler, Union County, Oregon Virgil Ruckman, age 74, former resident of Imbler, died Tuesday, Feb 25, at Oakland, Calif.. Ruckman was born on April 27, 1900, at Alicel, the son of Samuel and Lillian Ruckman. On June 10, 1922, he was married to Bessie Kasinger of Imbler. After farming in the Imbler area for a year they moved to Oakland,Calif. Survivors include his daughters, Mrs. William [Betty Gene] Graybeal and Mrs.. George [Audrea] Seitz, both of Oakland; sister, Mrs. Dale [Lucretia] Brookshire, Imbler, brother, Clark Ruckman, La Grande; stepbrother, Walter Phillips, Salem: two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and other relatives and … Read more

Baxter, B. Irene Abercrombie Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon B. Irene Baxter, 82, of Baker City, died Nov. 12, 2005, at her home. There will be a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Jon Privett of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Private burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for food and fellowship afterward in the Blue Mountain Room of the Sunridge Inn, 1 Sunridge Lane. Irene was born at Oakland, Calif., in 1923 to Dave and Ella Abercrombie. She spent … Read more